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Feature: The Big Nintendo 3DS Direct Summary

Before the latest Nintendo Direct broadcast, we're sure that many were unsure of what to expect. We've watched enough of them to know that sometimes they can be rather light on revelations, simply stringing us along with a few release dates, and on other occasions they can be blockbuster events that get the Nintendo Life community buzzing. What did we think? A selection of the Nintendo Life team felt that it delivered the goods, packed as it was with lots of enticing prospects and games to come.

Such was the volume of news, release dates and new reveals that it's quite easy to have missed some of the excitement with the rush of information. Naturally, we've done our best to cover all of the important facts, and this is your one-stop-shop to see all of the stories in one place. There sure are a lot of them.

3DS - New Games

New Legend of Zelda Title Confirmed For Nintendo 3DS, Due Late 2013 — We think most will agree that this was the biggest news of the day, so much so that your humble Nintendo Life staff covering the event could barely control their excitement enough to keep typing. Saved to last in both Europe and North America, this title is set in the world of Link to The Past, the iconic Super NES title, and looks unabashedly 2D in game style; naturally 3D flourishes will feature along with a nifty paper effect. Even better is the fact that it's due this Holiday season, so many of us may find this under the Christmas tree. Oh, and we've played a bit of it, so keep your eyes peeled for our first impressions very soon.

A New Yoshi's Island Title Is Coming — Continuing the trend of sequels to beloved Super NES titles, Yoshi's Island 3DS was revealed, showing off a slight twist on the graphics style of its predecessors and once again bringing baby Mario along for the ride. Relatively little was revealed, not even a release window, but a first glimpse was a delight nevertheless.

Mario Gets The Party Started This Winter — Potentially joining the new Zelda titles as a Holiday smash hit on 3DS is a new Mario Party release. There'll be seven boards, 81 new minigames to try, the option to play these games at any time and implementation of AR (augmented reality) and StreetPass. One to watch for some multiplayer fun.

3DS Release Dates, Localisations and Extras

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros. Dated For North America and Europe — With Bros. added to the name in the West, this latest entry in AlphaDream's RPG series arrives in Europe on 12th July and North America on 11th August. We saw more footage (below) with some neat dual-screen puzzle mechanics and mini-Luigi action to enjoy; this one is looking pretty good.

New Mode and Items Confirmed for Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D — This 3DS re-release of the Wii platformer was unveiled earlier in the year and hits stores in May, so the opportunity was taken to share more details. It'll include eight new levels once the game is beaten, while a New Mode option will make the game a little easier — this'll include portable DK barrels, green balloons to rescue you from falls, an additional heart and the ability to be hit more than once when in a mine cart or riding a rocket barrel. Don't worry, platforming ninjas, the Original Mode will replicate the challenge of the Wii game.

All Three Guild02 Titles Are Coming to the 3DS eShop in the West — While two Guild02 titles have been expected in the West, due to U.S. trademarks, a pleasant surprise is that all three of the Level-5 published games are coming to Europe and North America. No dates were given, but The Starship Damrey, Bugs vs. Tanks! and Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale will all be gracing the 3DS eShop with their presence.

Bravely Default: Flying Fairy Confirmed for the West — Already a success for Square Enix in Japan, the famous developer is teaming up with Nintendo to bring this much-desired RPG to the West. It's been critically acclaimed in its homeland, and Europeans will be able to play it later this year; the North American release is currently slated for 2014.

Shin Megami Tensei IV Arrives in North America in July, Confirmed for Europe — Unveiled in the North American broadcast, this Atlus-published RPG is sure to get fans of the series excited, and all first print copies on 16th July will come as a gorgeous Limited Edition set; this'll include a Strategy and Design book, a Shin Megami Tensei Music Collection CD and Collectable Slipcase packaging. The title was confirmed for Europe, but without a launch date.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf 3DS XL Bundle Confirmed for the West — Already rumoured earlier in the week courtesy of a retailer listing, it was confirmed that this special 3DS XL mode — with the game pre-installed — would arrive in stores on the game's launch day; that's 9th June in North America and 14th June in Europe. The European price will be up to retailers, but the recommended rate in the U.S. will be $219.99.

Wii U Release Dates and Details

Believe - Earthbound is Coming to the Wii U Virtual Console — If there's one previously un-released retro title that's been requested more than any other, we'd bet that it's SNES RPG EarthBound; it failed to arrive on Wii, reportedly, due to licensing issues. Whatever problems there may have been, Satoru Iwata confirmed that this classic — known as Mother 2 in Japan — is coming to the Wii U Virtual Console this year. The wait will finally be over.

Wii U System Update to Arrive Next Week — Not long after Wii U launched Nintendo confirmed that further system updates would arrive in 2013 to improve the user experience, and the first of these lands next week. The headline improvement will be improved loading times between menus, but it'll also be possible to hold B during start-up to jump to Wii Mode, transfer or copy data between USB hard drives, and automatically install games downloaded in the background while playing other games. Oh, and one other thing...

Wii U Virtual Console to Arrive Shortly After the Spring Update — Just after the system update lands and settles in, Nintendo will launch the official Wii U Virtual Console. We've had previews and discount titles courtesy of the Famicom Anniversary celebrations, but the full package and early offerings will start to arrive, with standard prices and discounts for those that own Wii copies of the same games. You can check out Nintendo of America's sizzle reel for upcoming games below.

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Pikmin 3 Arrives in North America on 4th August — After a number of delays — or rather the absence of a release date — it was confirmed that Pikmin 3 will land in North America on 4th August; Europe has a less specific timeframe of "just a few months". In addition footage showed a new winged Pikmin, which is nice.

New Super Luigi U Details Revealed Ahead of a Summer Release — New Super Luigi U is an expansive DLC accompaniment to New Super Mario Bros. U starring the green brother, and a few more details were revealed. It's due to arrive this summer in North America and Europe, will feature the same world map but freshly designed levels (all 82 of them), and challenges will suit Luigi's abilities such as a higher jump and lesser traction. Stages will be designed for multiple playthroughs, so it looks like it'll have plenty to offer.

As you can see, a lot happened in Nintendo's latest 3DS Direct. Let us know what you thought, and which stories stand out for you, in the comments below. If you want to watch it all again, meanwhile, the full broadcasts are below.

North American 3DS Direct

European 3DS Direct

From the web

Welsh ex-pat Tom is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He's the guy to thank for the generally brilliant nature of the content which massages your eyeballs on a daily basis. Also has an unhealthy obsession with all things Bowser.

After all of the Nintendo Directs I have seen over the past few months, I have started to really look forward to their broadcasts each time they are announced. E3 doesn't have to be the only exciting video game show to watch!

I was expecting Mario to bring the party to Wii U, but hey! I'm not complaining, there'll be a (hopefully good) MP for Wii U anyway. And I'd like to see what they do with these rules on the boards. As for the Yoshi's Island and Earthbound: Where did that come from!?

Any info on the Japan Direct? You posted about it happening and then deserted it. I really want that game w/ the walking fish though I doubt very much it'll ever be seen stateside. Should be able to sell a game that looks like Subspace Emmissary and plays like LBP. They could at least offer it as a DL.

Good for us 3DS owners, but bad for the WiiU owners. I realize that a lot of what is coming out now for the 3DS was planned years ago, but still, time to get those companies/teams off the 3DS for a little bit, and onto quality WiiU titles.

Agreed with above. So happy for the 3DS love, it's turning out to be the best lineup ever. with the DS library it's basically an indestructible game machine, and the Xl about the size of my old DS phat, couldn't ask for more. WiiU still looks pretty sad. All these big announcements are still just previews of the games announced at launch and a system update? oh yeah and 1 DL pack for the 2d Mario that no one could possibly be tired of by now. How "next gen"

idk, i think this video is right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4nYjBvzM_Iits time these guys resign or something. nintendo is too out of touch with gamers over here. ps4 and 720 is on the way and looks like the wii u will be in the same position as it was when the 7th gen was going on. ps3 and 360 were the only systems taken seriously while wii was that console sitting on the sidelines... smh we need a genuine petition. i want nintendo to be the great company it once was. but seems like these two arent doing it any justice... have an opened mind with this thing